Mississippi legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Mississippi HB1577: Child abuse; clarify willful false claims of.
Status: Signed into law, March 30, 2026
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 43-21-355, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THE CRIME OF WILLFUL FALSE CLAIMS OF CHILD ABUSE; TO AUTHORIZE RESTITUTION PAYMENTS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES; TO AMEND SECTION 97-35-47, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PRECEDING SECTION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
What the bill says
An act to amend section 43-21-355, mississippi code of 1972, to clarify the crime of willful false claims of child abuse; to authorize restitution payments to the department of child protection services; to amend section 97-35-47, mississippi code of 1972, to conform to the preceding section; and for related purposes.
From the enrolled text, March 23, 2026:
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 43-21-355, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THE CRIME OF WILLFUL FALSE CLAIMS OF CHILD ABUSE; TO AUTHORIZE RESTITUTION PAYMENTS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES; TO AMEND SECTION 97-35-47, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PRECEDING SECTION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: SECTION 1. Section 43-21-355, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows: 43-21-355. (1) Any attorney, physician, dentist, intern, resident, nurse, psychologist, social worker, family protection worker, family protection specialist, child caregiver, minister, law enforcement officer, school attendance officer, public school district employee, nonpublic school employee, licensed professional counselor or any other person participating in the making of a required report pursuant to Section 43-21-353 or participating in an investigation, evaluation or judicial proceeding resulting from the report shall be presumed to be acting in good faith. Any person or institution reporting or participating in an investigation, evaluation or judicial *HR26/R727SG* H. B. No. 1577 ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2 26/HR26/R727SG PAGE 1 (GT\KW) proceeding resulting from the report in good faith shall be immune from any liability, civil or criminal, that might otherwise be incurred or imposed. (2) (a) Any report pursuant to Section 43-21-353 shall not be considered filed in good faith when it is unsupported by credible …
Sponsors
- Felsher, Kevin (R, 117) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Approved by Governor
- : Enrolled Bill Signed
- : Enrolled Bill Signed
- : Concurred in Amend From Senate
- : Returned For Concurrence
- : Passed As Amended
- : Amended
- : Title Suff Do Pass As Amended
- : Referred To Judiciary, Division B
- : Transmitted To Senate
Votes
- Concurred in Amend From Senate (March 18, 2026): 120 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Passed As Amended (March 4, 2026): 47 yea, 2 nay, passed
- Passed (February 12, 2026): 119 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Child abuse
Common questions
- What is HB1577?
- HB1577 is a bill in the Mississippi Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Child abuse; clarify willful false claims of.
- What does HB1577 do?
- In its own words: An act to amend section 43-21-355, mississippi code of 1972, to clarify the crime of willful false claims of child abuse; to authorize restitution payments to the department of child protection services; to amend section 97-35-47, mississippi code of 1972, to conform to the preceding section; and for related purposes.
- What is the status of HB1577?
- Signed into law as of March 30, 2026. Latest action: Approved by Governor (March 30, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1577?
- Felsher, Kevin (R, 117).
- Where is the official record for HB1577?
- On the Mississippi Legislature website: http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB1577.xml
Source: official Mississippi record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.